James Garnett studied commercial art for two years before changing majors and graduating with a business degree. He worked in the private sector in operations management in Oklahoma City before taking the opportunity to move to Denver and set up a clay studio in the Artists on Santa Fe Gallery and Studios. James has maintained his membership in that gallery as well as others in Colorado. James’ work has focused on the raku firing technique, but of late has been developing functional work that coordinates and extends his Japanese aesthetic in clay. ——————————————————-“My work in clay has primarily revolved around the Japanese firing technique of raku which involves fast-firing the glaze, the final step before seeing the results. Raku firing originated in Japan as part of the tea ceremony. This step has been “Americanized” by adding combustibles to the cooling process. The glaze firing time has been reduced to about one hour and the cooling process has added the potential for unexpected results and uniqueness to each piece. I usually build common shapes — cubes, rectangular boxes, spheres — then allow my glaze choices to create a unique, beautiful form.”